B.C.’s Major Newspapers Owe Millions to New Recycling Program

British Columbia (B.C.), Canada’s westernmost province, is calling out major newspapers for not contributing to the province’s new recycling program. Together, the newspapers owe an estimated $16 million in fees.

As of May 19, 2014, all producers of packaging and printed paper in B.C. are required to pay for the cost of recycling the products that they sell to customers. Producers can choose to either join Multi Material B.C., an umbrella organization, and pay an annual fee or set up their own personal collection and recycling program. But, according to documents obtained by CBC News, The Vancouver Sun, The Providence, Black Press and Glacier Media have yet to pay their dues.

CBC News has the details:

The province is warning B.C.'s major newspapers to get in line, after they failed to contribute an estimated $16 million in fees to the province's new recycling program.

Documents obtained by CBC News show three publishers representing The Vancouver Sun and The Province and two community newspaper groups — Black Press and Glacier Media — all received warning letters from the Ministry of Environment late last year, demanding they comply with B.C.'s new regulations.

The rules, which came into effect, May 19, 2014, require the producers of all packaging and printed paper (PPP) in B.C. to pay for the cost of recycling the products they sell consumers.